Ocean, Harbor, and Bay Water Quality Report, 2016

Cover Photo: Family Fun in Surf

2016 Annual Ocean, Harbor & Bay Water Quality Report

PROJECT MANAGERS

• Anthony Martinez, Program Manager

• Larry Brennler, Supervising Environmental Health Specialist II

• Hisham Elmishad, Environmental Health Specialist II

Surfer Windsailing

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Executive Summary V

Orange County Beaches Monitoring Stations VII

The Ocean Water Protection Program 1

Sewage Waste Discharges 8

Ocean, Harbor and Bay Water Closures Due to Sewage Spills 13

Ocean, Harbor and Bay Water Postings Due to Bacteriological Standards Violations 20 Ocean, Harbor and Bay Water Rain Advisories 23

Appendix 1 32

Postings by Open Coastal Ocean Water Areas 2000 – 2016

Appendix 2 48

Postings by Harbor and Bay Water Areas 2000 – 2016

Appendix 3 53

Unauthorized Discharges of Waste and Ocean/Harbor/Bay Closures 1987 - 2016

Appendix 4 55

2016 Sewage Spill Closures for Ocean, Harbor and Bay Water Areas

Appendix 5 56

Single Sample Standard Exceedance Rates for Non Point Zero Open Coastal Locations

Appendix 6 57

Single Sample Standard Exceedance Rates for Point Zero Open Coastal Locations

Over 8,600 water samples were collected and approximately 25,900 tests performed.

Family Fun at the Beach

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The 2016 Annual Ocean, Harbor and Bay Water Quality Report provides an updated analysis of bacteriological water quality data for Orange County’s recreational waters and includes data on sewage spills and related ocean, harbor and bay water closures. The annual report also describes year-to-year variability and trends representing the 17-year period (2000 – 2016) that Assembly Bill 411 (AB 411) Ocean Water-Contact Sports Standards for bacteriological water quality have been in place. In addition, the annual report incorporates historical sewage spill and associated ocean, harbor and bay water closure information during the most recent 30-year period from 1987 – 2016.

Major findings of the 2016 Annual Ocean, Harbor and Bay Water Quality Report: Sewage Spills and Ocean, Harbor and Bay Water Closures

• The total number of sewage spills reported to the Ocean Water Protection Program in 2016 was 129, continuing a steady decline and down 68.3% from the peak record of 408 spills set in 2002.

• During 2016, the total number of sewage spills resulting in beach closures (9) remained 52.6% below the 30-year average of 19 beach closures per year.

• The total number of Beach Mile Days (BMD’s) due to sewage spill closures was 14.0 and is 33% below the 18-year average of 27.4 BMD’s from 1999 through 2016.

• Pipeline blockages continue to be responsible for the majority of sewage spills resulting in beach closures. Since 1999, blockages have resulted in 61.5% of all closures and over half of these blockages (56.2%) were caused by infiltration of roots or deposition of grease.

Posted Warnings Due to Bacteriological Standards Violations

• Total Beach Mile Days posted due to bacteriological water quality standards violations during the AB 411 period (April 1 to October 31) were 29.1 which is 92% below the record high of 366 recorded in 2002. The continuing trend of record lows over the last 4 years is likely due to drought and less runoff impacting the beach.

• The new South County Unified Regional Monitoring Plan completed its second AB 411 monitoring season (April 1 to October 31). This new regional monitoring plan was implemented at south county beaches in April 2015 and requires “point zero” monitoring at locations where urban runoff physically enters the ocean. Second year monitoring results during the AB 411 period showed 15 out of the 28 point zero stations were in 100% compliance with state ocean water health standards. See Appendix 6 for additional information about point zero monitoring results.

• During the summer of 2016, HCA/Environmental Health continued collaborating with Stanford University and Heal the Bay on a Predictive Modeling pilot study. One of the three chosen pilot locations in Southern California was at San Juan Creek in Doheny State Beach. The pilot used a computer model to determine if water quality at selected beach locations would exceed state health standards on any given day to determine if the beach should be posted. A continuation of the pilot study is planned for the 2017 AB 411 period.

• Thirteen (13) Rain Advisories were posted during 2016 for a total of 51 days and represents a 25% increase over the previous 3-year ’s drought-impacted average of 38 days. The current number is still 18% below the (pre drought) average of 62 days and may continue to contribute to better water quality due to less urban runoff flowing to the ocean.

Ocean Water Protection Program

staff responds on a 24-hour basis to investigate any reports of sewage or other potential contamination incidents …

Seagull Newport Beach

THE OCEAN WATER PROTECTION PROGRAM

As part of the County of Orange Health Care Agency, the Environmental Health Ocean Water Protection Program is responsible for protecting the public from exposure to ocean and bay waters that may be contaminated with sewage or may cause illness along Orange County’s 42 miles of open ocean coastline and 70 miles of harbor and bay frontage. Ocean and bay waters used for body-contact recreational activities such as swimming, surfing and diving must meet specific bacteriological water quality standards to be considered safe for such purposes.

In 2016, the Health Care Agency (HCA), the Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD), the South Orange County Wastewater Authority (SOCWA) and OC Public Works (OCPW) cooperatively tested the coastal waters in Orange County for bacteria that indicated the possible presence of disease-causing organisms. Staff from HCA’s Ocean Water Protection Program, OCSD, SOCWA and OCPW participated in the weekly collection of water samples at 140 ocean, harbor and bay monitoring locations throughout coastal Orange County. Last year, over 8100 ocean, harbor, and bay water samples were collected and approximately 24,586 analyses were performed to determine the results for three indicator bacteria used for compliance purposes (i.e., total coliform, fecal coliform and enterococcus).

The Ocean Water Protection Program staff review the bacteriological sample results daily and will issue ocean, harbor and bay water closures, postings and health advisories under the

requirements stipulated by the California Health and Safety Code and Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations. When the results of testing indicate that one or more of the AB 411 Ocean Water-Contact Sports Standards have been exceeded, the public is notified, signs are posted at the beach, and the monitoring frequency and locations may increase until the sample results meet established standards and/or the source of the contamination is eliminated. In addition, Ocean Water Protection Program staff respond on a 24hour basis to investigate any reports of sewage or other potential contamination incidents that may affect public health at any of Orange County’s ocean, harbor and bay water areas.

The Ocean Water Protection Program maintains an Ocean, Harbor and Bay Water Posting and Closure web page, telephone hotline and social media account (Twitter), which provides current information regarding Orange County beach closures, posted warnings and advisories. The telephone hotline and web page are immediately updated and a Twitter message is sent when a change of status occurs at any ocean, harbor or bay water area in Orange County.

Ocean, Harbor and Bay Water Closure & Posting Telephone Hotline: (714) 433-6400

Ocean, Harbor and Bay Water Closure & Posting Web Page: www ocbeachinfo com

Tweeter: http://twitter com/ochealth

Newport Beach

Ocean Water-Contact Sports Standards – Assembly Bill 411 (AB411)

In 1998, AB 411 (Wayne) was chaptered into law and added Sections 115880-115915 to the California Health and Safety Code. The law authorized the creation of bacteriological ocean water quality standards that are considered protective of public health (California Code of Regulations Sections 7956-7962).

The standards are informally called “AB 411 standards” and include the following:

• Required testing of the waters adjacent to all ocean and bay public beaches for total coliforms, fecal coliforms and enterococci bacteria that may indicate the presence of possible disease-causing bacteria, viruses or protozoa.

• Required maintenance and updates of the Ocean, Harbor and Bay Posting and Closure Hotline.

• Established single sample standards for total coliforms, fecal coliforms and enterococci bacteria which shall not exceed:

• Total Coliforms: 10,000 organisms per 100 milliliter sample.

• Fecal Coliforms: 400 organisms per 100 milliliter sample.

• Enterococci: 104 organisms per 100 milliliter sample.

• Fecal Coliform to Total Coliform ratio: >1,000 total coliforms if ratio exceeds 0.1.

• Established 30-day geometric mean standards (of five weekly samples) for total coliforms, fecal coliforms and enterococci bacteria which shall not exceed:

• Total Coliforms: 1,000 organisms per 100 milliliter sample.

• Fecal Coliforms: 200 organisms per 100 milliliter sample.

• Enterococci: 35 organisms per 100 milliliter sample.

• When any waters adjacent to a public beach fail to meet any of the standards described above, the local health officer shall post signs on the beach to restrict access to the affected waters.

• Weekly testing is required from April 1 to October 31 if the following applies:

• The beach is visited by more than 50,000 people annually.

• The beach is located in an area adjacent to a storm drain that flows in the summer.

• In the case of a known release of sewage into ocean or bay waters adjacent to a public beach, the local health officer is required to:

• Immediately close the affected ocean or bay waters until the source of the sewage is eliminated.

• Collect bacterial samples from the affected waters.

• Continue the closure until testing results of water samples meet the established standards.

Seagulls on beach

Disease-Causing Microorganisms

Contaminated runoff and untreated sewage released into ocean and bay waters may result in swimmer exposure to pathogenic bacteria, viruses or protozoa. These disease-causing microorganisms may be present at or near the sites where discharges enter the water.

The following table lists the types of microorganisms and the diseases (or symptoms) they may cause.

PATHOGENIC AGENT DISEASE

Bacteria

Escherichia coli (E. coli)

Salmonella (not typhi)

Some strains of Shigella

Protozoa (Intestinal Parasites)

Cryptosporidium

Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis, usually with fever; less commonly septicemia (generalized infection - organisms multiply in the bloodstream)

Gastroenteritis, usually with fever

Diarrhea – Cryptosporidiosis

Giardia lamblia Diarrhea – Giardiasis

Viruses

Rotavirus Gastroenteritis

Enteroviruses Respiratory infection, rash, fever, meningitis

Norwalk and Norwalk-like viruses

Gastroenteritis

Adenovirus Respiratory infection and gastroenteritis

Hepatitis A (outbreaks associated with eating shellfish from sewage-contaminated water)

Infectious hepatitis (liver malfunction)

The levels of bacteria, viruses and protozoa typically decrease in ocean and bay waters over time due to the following reasons:

• Die off due to sun (ultraviolet exposure), salt water or age.

• Predation by other organisms.

• Dispersion and dilution.

Shaw’s Cove at Sunset Laguna Beach

Indicator Bacteria Testing Methods

The detection and enumeration of disease-causing organisms (pathogens) identified with waterborne illness is difficult, time-consuming and costly. Thus, most water quality laboratories are required to test for fecal indicator bacteria (i.e., total coliforms, fecal coliforms and enterococci) as a means to ascertain the likelihood that human pathogens may be present in recreational waters. Fecal indicator bacteria normally occur in the intestines of all warm-blooded animals, are excreted in high numbers in feces, but can also be found in soil and decaying vegetation. Since there is no ideal indicator group, testing is done for more than one indicator. Total coliforms are a broad group of organisms that include fecal coliform bacteria as well as E. coli The enterococci group has been determined to be a good indicator of water-contact associated gastroenteritis. The methods most commonly used to detect fecal indicator bacteria in water include:

• Membrane Filtration (MF)

• Multiple-Tube Fermentation (MTF)

• Colilert®

• Enterolert®

All of the methods are culture based, which means that the indicator bacteria present in water must be allowed to grow in order to be detected. Differences between the methods include how the bacteria are detected and counted, how soon the results become known, and cost. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages. Most of the limitations depend on factors such as the other types of constituents in the water and density of bacteria present, and all require at least an 18-hour incubation period. The following is a brief summary of the Membrane Filtration method, the method used by the County of Orange Health Care Agency/Public Health Laboratory, the South Orange County Wastewater Authority Laboratory and the Orange County Sanitation District Laboratory for the analyses of total coliforms, fecal coliforms and enterococci in ocean and bay waters. Detailed descriptions for the Membrane Filtration (MF), MultipleTube Fermentation (MTF), Colilert® and Enterolert® methods are available in the latest edition of Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater.

Membrane Filtration (MF)

The Membrane Filtration method involves filtering water through a porous membrane to concentrate or trap bacteria from the water sample on the filter surface. The membrane filter is placed onto a culture medium designed to encourage the growth of the target indicator. The filter is incubated for 22–24 hours to allow the bacterial cells to multiply into visible colonies. Theoretically, each bacterial cell (or clump of cells) produces a single colony on the membrane.

The colonies are viewed under a 10X magnifying lens and distinguished from non-target bacteria based on the type, size and color of the colonies. Target bacteria are indicated by pigment production resulting from bacterial enzymatic reactions to specific substrates. The number of colonies present in 100 milliliters of water, also known as “Colony Forming Units” (CFUs), is counted and the concentration of organisms in the original sample is calculated.

Total Coliform Colonies

Fecal Coliform Colonies

Enterococcus Colonies

Public Notification and Risk Communication

Public notification and risk communication is a critical component of the Ocean Water Protection Program. Public awareness and enhancing the capacity for informed personal choice are important factors in ensuring public health protections are provided to recreational water users. The Ocean Water Protection Program has established and maintains an integrated management system to inform the public of the potential health risks associated with water contact activities in coastal recreational waters that do not meet applicable water quality standards. Multiple communication measures are promptly taken to notify the public when ocean, harbor or bay water areas do not meet or are expected not to meet AB 411 Ocean Water-Contact Sports Standards. The Ocean Water Protection Program implements the following types of public notification measures to communicate information regarding beach water quality and to protect the health of beach users:

• Beach Signs – Signs are posted to notify beach users of the current status of the ocean, harbor or bay water area. Posted beach signs are located where they are most likely to be noticed by beach users and provide a visual notice at the point of ocean water access.

• Telephone Hotline – The Ocean, Harbor and Bay Water Closure & Posting Telephone Hotline has been established to inform the public about all beaches that are currently closed, posted with a health warning or when a rain advisory has been issued. The telephone hotline message is immediately updated when a change in the status of beach closures, postings or advisories occur. The Ocean, Harbor and Bay Water Closure & Posting Telephone Hotline is (714) 433-6400.

• Web Page – The Ocean, Harbor and Bay Water Closure & Posting Web Page has been developed and is used to report beach closures, postings and rain advisories. The web page is updated immediately when the status of the closure, posting or advisory changes. The Ocean, Harbor and Bay Water Closure & Posting Web Page internet address is www.ocbeachinfo.com

• Social Media – Public notification of ocean water quality status changes are communicated to the public through the social media network of Twitter. Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ochealth for water quality updates as they occur.

• Press Releases – Public notification of a beach closure or rain advisory is provided in a press release issued by the Health Care Agency The press release will indicate whether a closure or rain advisory is being issued, the reason for the closure or advisory, the area affected and the anticipated duration of the closure or advisory.

• Annual Reports – To assess the health of the ocean, harbor and bay waters being monitored, the Ocean Water Protection Program compiles an annual report of the beach closures, postings and advisories after the year has ended. The Annual Ocean, Harbor and Bay Water Quality Report provides an updated analysis of bacteriological water quality, describes year-to-year variability and trends for Orange County’s recreational waters, and includes data on sewage spills and beach closures. Annual Reports from 2002 to present can be viewed and downloaded from the Ocean, Harbor and Bay Water Closure & Posting Web Page at www.ocbeachinfo.com

Closure and Warning Signs

The yellow closure sign is posted when a sewage spill affects ocean or bay waters adjacent to a public beach. This sign is also available in Spanish.

The warning sign with the red and black border is posted when a violation of the AB 411 Ocean WaterContact Sports Standards occurs.

The warning sign with the yellow and black border is permanently posted near storm drains, creeks and rivers to advise the public of the risks associated with possible contamination from urban runoff and confirmed violations of the AB 411 Ocean WaterContact Sports Standards where runoff physically enters the ocean at the receiving zone. The receiving zone is considered to be from 75 feet upcoast to 75 feet downcoast of the flowing drain, creek or river.

Beach Mile Days (BMD)

The term “Beach Mile Days” is used to represent the measurement of the number of days and the linear area of ocean, harbor or bay front waters that are closed due to a sewage spill or posted for a violation of the AB 411 Ocean Water-Contact Sports Standards.

Beach Mile Days (BMD) are calculated by multiplying the number of days of a closure or posting by the number of miles of beach closed or posted:

(Number of Days) x (Miles of Beach Closed/Posted) = Beach Mile Days

For example, if a sewage spill resulted in the closure of ½ mile of beach for 7 days then: (7 days) x (0.5 miles of beach closed) = 3.5 Beach Mile Days of closure

Another example, if 300 feet of beach is posted for a violation of the AB411 Ocean Water-Contact Sports Standards for 5 consecutive days, then: (5 days) x (0.06 miles of beach posted) = 0.3 Beach Mile Days of posting

Using BMD as a measurement of ocean and bay water availability is more meaningful than using the number of incidences or the number of days since BMD take into account both the length of beach and number of days for a closure or posting. The State of California Water Resources Control Board and all California coastal counties use BMD for reporting closures and postings which provides a standardized measurement that allows comparison of different areas (beach to beach or county to county) and the assessment of closure and posting trends over time.

SEWAGE WASTE DISCHARGES

Sewage waste discharges commonly known as “sewage spills” occur when wastewater being transported via underground pipes overflows through a manhole, clean-out drain or broken pipe. Sewage spills can cause health hazards, damage to homes and businesses and threaten the environment, local waterways and beaches. Untreated sewage has high levels of disease-causing bacteria and viruses. Orange County Health Care Agency/Environmental Health is responsible for protecting public health by closing ocean, harbor and bay water areas affected by sewage spills and will suspend food-service establishment’s operating permit if a sewage spill poses a threat to public health.

Common Causes of Sewage Spills:

Grease builds up inside and eventually blocks sewer pipes. Grease gets into the sewer from food establishments, household drains, as well as from poorly maintained commercial grease traps and interceptors.

Infrastructure problems caused by tree roots in the lines, broken/cracked pipes, missing or broken cleanout caps or undersized sewers can cause blockages.

Infiltration and inflow impacts pipe capacity and is caused when groundwater or rainwater enters the sewer system through pipe defects and illegal connections.

Local and state agencies have legal jurisdiction and enforcement authority to ensure sewage spills are remediated. Allowing sewage to discharge from a home, business or public property may subject the responsible party to penalties and/or out-of-pocket costs to reimburse local and state agencies for clean-up efforts and for not reporting the sewage spill. As mandated by the California Health and Safety Code, any person who causes or permits a sewage discharge to any state waters must immediately notify the local health agency of the discharge.

If you see a sewage spill occurring, immediately notify your City Sewer/Public Works Department or Public Sewer District

Upper Newport Bay Newport Beach

The number of sewage discharges reported to the Orange County Ocean Water Protection Program by sanitation districts, cities that operate sewage collection systems and private property owners from 19872016 is detailed in the following graph. The total number of sewage spills reported in 2016 represents the thirteenth consecutive year a decrease in the total number of sewage spills has been reported.

Beach Jogger

The following chart depicts the percentage of sewage spills due to overflows from privately owned sewage systems (e.g. residential homes, apartment/condominium complexes, strip malls, etc.) reported each year from 1999 - 2016. In 2016, privately owned sewage systems were responsible for 41% of all sewage waste discharges reported in Orange County.

Sewage Waste Discharge Causes 1999 - 2016

The percentage of sewage spills caused by pipeline blockages from 1999 – 2016 is detailed in the following graph. The percentage of sewage spills caused by pipeline blockages continues to be the leading cause of sewage waste discharges.

The following graph depicts the percentage of sewage spills caused by pipeline breaks from 1999 – 2016. The percentage of sewage spills caused by pipeline breaks continues to trend at its lowest levels during the 18-year period from 1999 - 2016.

Seagull on Pier Huntington Beach

Shore Birds

Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, Huntington Beach

OCEAN, HARBOR AND BAY WATER CLOSURES DUE TO SEWAGE SPILLS

When a known release of sewage is reported to the Ocean Water Protection Program, the ocean or bay water areas that may be affected by the sewage discharge are immediately closed to water-contact recreational activities. The closure area is based on many factors including type of sewage (e.g., untreated, secondary treated, etc.), volume of spill, location of spill, ocean currents and tides, historical sewage spills in the area and other pertinent information. After the initial closure area is established, the appropriate agencies are notified, the area is posted with closure signs, a press release is issued, the Ocean, Harbor and Bay Water Closure & Posting Telephone Hotline, Web Page and Twitter account are updated with the beach closure information, and daily bacterial sampling of the affected area is initiated.

The closed ocean or bay water area will be reopened or reduced in size when the contamination source has been eliminated and after two daily consecutive sampling results indicate the affected area meets the AB 411 Ocean Water-Contact Sports Standards.

The Ocean, Harbor and Bay Water Closure and Posting Telephone Hotline, web page and Twitter account provide the current status information for beach closures and are immediately updated when a change of status occurs. In addition, detailed information regarding Orange County beach closure events from 1999 to the present can be viewed and downloaded from the web page.

Ocean, Harbor and Bay Water Closure & Posting Telephone Hotline: (714) 433-6400

Ocean, Harbor and Bay Water Closure & Posting Web Page: www.ocbeachinfo.com.

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ochealth

Total Number of Closures Due to Sewage Spills 1987 - 2016

The total number of ocean, harbor and bay water closures in Orange County due to sewage spills from 19872016 is summarized in the following graph. The number of sewage spill closures continues to remain below the 30-year average of 19 closures per year.

Number of Ocean, Harbor and Bay Water Closures Due to Sewage Spills 1987 - 2016

Little Corona Beach Newport Beach

Basking

Surfing Lesson

Closures Due to Private Property Owner Sewage Spills 1999 - 2016

The percentage of ocean, harbor and bay water closures that were due to private property owner sewage system spills for the 18-year period from 1999 – 2016 is shown in the following chart. Of the 9 ocean water closures that occurred in 2016, only one closure was due to a private property owner sewage spill which accounted for 10% of all ocean, harbor and bay water closures for the year.

Source: Orange County Health Care Agency/Environmental Health

Stairs to Beach Laguna Beach

OCEAN, HARBOR AND BAY WATER POSTINGS DUE TO BACTERIOLOGICAL STANDARDS VIOLATIONS

Upon implementation of the AB 411 Ocean Water-Contact Sports Standards in July of 1999, the Ocean Water Protection Program began posting the required health warning signs at public beaches where the ocean, harbor or bay waters failed to meet state mandated recreational water quality standards.

From April 1 to October 31 bacteriological water samples are collected a minimum of once a week at approximately 140 ocean, harbor and bay locations throughout Orange County. Sample results are reviewed daily by the Ocean Water Protection Program to determine compliance with the seven AB 411 bacteriological standards established by the State of California. Each year the Ocean Water Protection Program reviews bacteriological results of approximately 3800 ocean, harbor and bay water samples collected from April 1 to October 31.

When a bacteriological water sample fails to meet an AB 411 Ocean Water-Contact Sports Standard, the following actions are taken:

• Warning signs are posted at the affected ocean, harbor or bay water area indicating that bacteria levels have exceeded health standards and ocean water contact may cause illness.

• The information regarding the posted area is updated on the Ocean, Harbor and Bay Water Closure and Posting Hotline at (714) 433-6400, Web Page at www.ocbeachinfo.com and by Twitter at http://twitter. com/ochealth

• Follow-up bacteriological water samples are collected at the posted location and the results are evaluated daily to determine if the posted area should be increased, reduced, shifted or removed.

Because ocean, harbor or bay water areas that violate the AB 411 Ocean Water-Contact Sports Standards may cause illness to recreational water users, the Ocean Water Protection Program staff recommends staying out of the water at all beach areas that are posted with the health warning sign shown below.

Total Number of Posted Warnings, Posting Days and Beach Mile Days 20002016

As required by the California Health and Safety Code Section 115910, violations of the AB 411 Ocean WaterContact Sports Standards between April 1 and October 31 must be reported to the California State Water Resources Control Board by all California coastal counties on a monthly basis. The information provided in this section is the data reported to the California State Water Resources Control Board beginning with the year 2000, the first calendar year that the AB 411 Ocean Water-Contact Sports Standards were in place.

The total number of posted warnings, total number of posting days and total number of Beach Mile Days that were posted due to AB 411 standards violations between April 1 and October 31 for all Orange County ocean, harbor and bay water areas are shown in the following table:

YEAR

POSTED WARNINGS

POSTING DAYS

BEACH MILE DAYS

2000 199 2,123 362.8 2001 208 2,454 282.4 2002 308 2,456 366.0 2003 160 1,732 247.5 2004 141 1,877 196.8 2005 102 1,512 197.6 2006 183 1,381 177.4 2007 116 1,037 139.0 2008 121 857 132.2 2009 109 791 135.6 2010 102 843 87.6 2011 114 855 164.4 2012 119 1,135 178.6 2013 87 458 34.6 2014 115 637 35.4 2015 109 674 36.2 2016 74 662 29.1

Crescent Bay Laguna Beach

The total number of Beach Mile Days that were posted due to AB 411 standards violations between April 1 and October 31 from 2000 – 2016 is detailed in the following graph. The total number of Beach Mile Days posted in 2016 (29.1) is the lowest on record. The recent lower trend of posted Beach Mile Days is due to drought conditions and less urban runoff flowing to the ocean.

OCEAN, HARBOR AND BAY WATER RAIN ADVISORIES

During and after a significant rainstorm event, storm drains, creeks and rivers carry floodwaters with urban runoff into local ocean, harbor and bay waters. Urban runoff may include fertilizers, road oils, litter and large amounts of bacteria from a variety of sources, such as animal waste and decomposing vegetation.

The levels of bacteria can rise significantly in ocean and bay waters close to discharging storm drains and outlets of creeks, rivers and streams during and after rainstorms. To ensure that public health and safety is protected, the Ocean Water Protection Program staff advises against body-contact recreational use of ocean, harbor or bay waters where there may be contamination due to storm water carrying urban runoff. The elevated bacterial levels in ocean, harbor and bay waters may continue for a period of at least three days depending on the intensity of the rain and the volume of runoff.

Swimmers, surfers and divers should avoid body-contact recreation with Orange County’s ocean, harbor and bay waters during and after a rainstorm event and all beach users should avoid contact with any storm drain or creek runoff on the beach during dry or wet weather conditions.

The Ocean Water Protection Program issues a Rain Advisory during or immediately after a rainstorm event that results in measured rainfall greater than or equal to two-tenths of an inch (0.20”). If multiple rainstorm events occur during the 72-hour window of the previous rainstorm, the existing rain advisory continues for an additional 72 hours. Rain advisory information is provided by issuing a Rain Advisory Press Release to media outlets and on the Ocean, Harbor and Bay Water Closure and Posting Hotline at (714) 433-6400, Web Page at www.ocbeachinfo.com, and by Twitter at http://twitter.com/ochealth

Foggy Night Huntington Beach Pier

Swimmers, surfers and divers should avoid body-contact recreation with Orange County’s ocean, harbor and bay waters during and after a rainstorm event.

Rainbow after a storm Laguna Beach

Sunet at Newport Beach

Sunset over Crescent Bay Laguna Beach

Beach Rocks

Ocean, Harbor and Bay Rain Advisories 2000 - 2016

Moonrise over Laguna Beach

APPENDIX 1

Postings by Open Coastal Ocean Water Areas 2000 – 2016

The following tables and graphs provide monitoring information from April 1 to October 31 for each of Orange County‘s open coastal ocean water areas and is arranged geographically from north to south along the Orange County shoreline. The appendix information provided for each open coastal ocean water area includes:

• Sampling agency, sampling frequency, sampling locations and number of beach miles;

• Total number of posted warnings, total number of posted warning days and total number of Beach Mile Days that were posted due to AB 411 standards violations from 2000 - 2016;

• A trend graph depicting the total number of Beach Mile Days that the open coastal water area was posted from 2000 – 2016; and

• The dry weather AB 411 single sample standard compliance rate at each open coastal ocean water sampling location for the 10-year period from 2005 – 2016.

Children Playing on Beach

Beach Crowd Huntington Beach

• DANA POINT – MONARCH BEACH

Sampling Agency: OC Public Works Sampling Frequency: 1 sample per week Sampling Locations: Monarch Beach at Salt Creek Point Zero, 75 feet upcoast, and 75 feet downcoast (Point Zero monitoring implemented in 2015) Beach Miles: 0.2 miles of open coastal beach 2016 was the second year for point zero monitoring at Salt Creek. The point zero exceedance rate has remained nearly unchanged, but the sample stations 75 feet upcoast and downcoast continue to be in compliance over 98% of the time. Amazingly, beach mile days actually dropped 57% compared to the last AB 411 period and may be the result of the falconry program implemented to help discourage seabirds from visiting the creek area. Although Salt Creek flows through an ozone treatment facility before being discharged to the beach, the exact reason for the higher bacteria levels measured at point zero after treatment is unclear and may be the result of bird waste and decomposition of organic matter in the ponded flow on the beach. Further investigation continues to be conducted to determine the exact cause of the bacterial source, but regardless of the cause the higher exceedance rates confirm why swimmers should avoid any ponded or flowing runoff and the area where it enters the ocean.

Capistrano County Beach Dana Point

Surfing Poche County Beach

APPENDIX 2

Postings by Harbor and Bay Water Areas 2000 – 2016

The following tables and graphs provide monitoring information between April 1 and October 31 for each of Orange County‘s harbor, bay and slough water areas and is arranged geographically from north to south along the Orange County shoreline. The appendix information provided for harbor, bay and slough water area includes: • Sampling agency, sampling frequency, sampling locations and number of beach miles; • Total number of posted warnings, total number of warning days and total number of Beach Mile Days that were posted due to AB 411 standards violations from 2000 - 2016; and • A trend graph depicting the total number of Beach Mile Days that the open coastal water area was posted from 2000 – 2016.

Laguna Beach

HARBOUR

Huntington Harbour, Huntington Beach

NEWPORT BAY

Sampling Agency: HCA Environmental Health Sampling Frequency: 1 sample per week

Sampling Locations: Newport Dunes Beach (east, middle, west, north), Vaughn’s Launch, Ski Zone, North Star Beach, Bayshore Beach, De Anza Launch (Pearson’s Port), 43rd Street Beach, 38th Street Beach, 33rd Street Channel, Newport Blvd. Bridge Marina (Harbor Tower Marina), Lido Isle Yacht Club Beach, Via Genoa Beach, Rhine Channel, 19th Street Beach, 15th Street Beach, 10th Street Beach, Alvarado/Bay Isle Beach, “N” Street Beach, Garnet Avenue Beach, Ruby Avenue Beach, Sapphire Avenue Beach, Grand Canal, Abalone Avenue Beach, Park Avenue Beach, Onyx Avenue Beach, Promontory Point Channel, Bayside Drive Beach (Harbor Patrol Beach) Beach Miles: 39.5 miles of bay frontage

Number of Posted Warnings, Posting Days and Beach Mile Days (April 1 – October 31)

Year Posted Warnings Posting Days Beach Mile Days 2000 56 929 32.0 2001 68 931 39.0 2002 43 905 35.6 2003 40 730 32.3 2004 31 768 31.5 2005 21 719 28.8 2006 30 492 26.7 2007 18 471 25.0 2008 15 246 13.2 2009 19 213 12.1 2010 18 307 14.2 2011 25 267 14.5 2012 22 263 13.9 2013 21 249 13.2 2014 19 295 13.8 2015 17 271 15.0 2016 10 330 13.9

Number of Beach Mile Days Posted 2000 - 2016 (April 1 - October 31)

Newport Bay Newport Beach

Newport Slough, Newport Beach

DANA

HARBOR

Point Harbor, Dana Point

APPENDIX 3

Unauthorized Discharge of Waste and Ocean/Harbor/Bay Closures 1987 - 2016

The following table lists both the total annual number of unauthorized discharges of waste reported to the Health Care Agency and the total number of ocean, harbor and bay water closures from 1987 through 2016. The total number of unauthorized discharges of waste reported is categorized by sewage type and by waste discharge causes for each year. The total number of ocean, harbor and bay water closures is categorized by waste type and closure causes. In addition, the total number of Beach Mile Days for ocean, harbor and bay water closures from sewage spills and miscellaneous causes is shown for 1999 – 2016.

Sunset Birds Laguna Beach

Sewage Spill Closures for Ocean, Harbor and Bay Water Areas - 2016

The following table provides a summary of each sewage spill that resulted in an ocean, harbor or bay water closure in 2016. The table shows the closure dates; number of days closed; number of Beach Mile Days of the closure; the ocean, harbor or bay water area that was closed; the responsible agency or a private property owner (PPO) responsible for the closure; the cause of the sewage spill closure; and the estimated volume of sewage spilled, recovered and released to the ocean, harbor or bay water area.

in Orange County

1 1/5/16 1/10/16 5 0.95 Upper Newport Bay from Santa Ana Delhi to Newport Dunes, Newport Beach.

2 1/24/16 1/28/16 4 0.76 From Bluebird Canyon Drive to Center Street, Laguna Beach.

3 2/9/16 2/17/16 8 6.48 All of the Newport Slough, Newport Beach.

4 6/23/16 6/26/16 3 1.1 “A” through “O” docks on the north side of the east basin, Dana Point Harbor.

5 7/8/16 7/11/16 3 0.17 Marina Park Docks, Newport Beach.

6 7/15/16 7/18/16 3 0.24 Docks between the Balboa Ferry and Balboa Pavilion, Newport Beach.

7 7/19/16 7/21/16 3 3.00 From the San Gabriel River Mouth to the Anaheim Bay breakwater, Seal Beach.

8 9/17/16 9/19/16 2 0.50 “F” through “O” docks on the north side of the east basin, Dana Point Harbor.

9 12/18/16 12/21/16 3 0.75 From the mouth of the San Gabriel River to 1000 feet downcoast of the San Gabriel River, Seal Beach.

City of Laguna Beach / root blockage

~200 gallons/sewage ~0 gallons recovered ~200 gallons released

City of Laguna Beach / root blockage ~550 gallons/sewage ~0 gallons recovered ~550 gallons released

City of Newport Beach / line break ~500 gallons/sewage ~0 gallons recovered ~500 gallons released

PPO / grease blockage

~1500 gallons/sewage ~0 gallons recovered ~1500 gallons released

City of Newport Beach / vessel pump out station ~20 gallons/sewage ~0 gallons recovered ~20 gallons released

City of Newport Beach / vessel pump out station ~1 gallons/sewage ~0 gallons recovered ~1 gallons released

City of Los Angeles / line break

South Coast Water District / root blockage

City of La Mirada / pump station power failure

~2,425,000 gal./sewage ~829,100 gal. recovered ~1,754,100 gal. released

~900 gal./sewage ~50 gal. recovered ~850 gal. released

~3000 gallons/ sewage ~0 gallons recovered ~3000 gallons released

2015 Sewage Spill Closures for Ocean, Harbor and Bay Water Areas

Agency/Reason Amount Spilled*

PPO

Garibaldi and Diver Exploring Reef

5

Single Sample Standard Exceedance Rates for Non-Point Zero Open Coastal Locations

The following table, arranged in geographical order from north to south along the Orange County shoreline, provides the dry weather AB 411 single sample standard exceedance rate at each Orange County open coastal monitoring location from April 1 to October 31 during the 12-year period from 2005 to 2016.

Station

Seal Beach / Surfside / Sunset

Laguna Beach

OSB02 1st Street 9.2% OLB05 Crescent Bay Beach 0.3%

OSB03 8th Street 4.8% S12 Goff Island Beach 0.6%

OSB05 100 Yds South of Pier 2.9% S11 Treasure Island Beach 0.3%

OSB04 14th Street 0.8% S10 Aliso Beach–North 0.6%

OSB01 Sea Way 0.6% S9 Aliso Beach–North 3.2%

OSUB1 Broadway 0.5% S8 Aliso Beach–South 0.8%

Bolsa Chica State Beach S7 Camel Point 0.3%

39N Parking Area #20 0.9% S6 Table Rock 0.2%

33N Parking Area #14 1.6% S5 Laguna Lido 0.0% Huntington City & State Beach S4 9th Street / 1000 Steps 0.3%

27N Bluffs @ Dog Beach 1.8% S3 Three Arch Bay 0.9%

21N 17th Street 0.4% Dana Point

15N Jacks Snack Bar 0.9% S2 Salt Creek Beach 1.2%

12N Beach Blvd. 1.4% S1 Dana Strands 1.1%

9N Newland Street 5.6% S-6 Ocean Institute Beach 0.6%

6N Magnolia Street 8.1% Doheny State Beach

3N Brookhurst Street 9.0% S2 Fence at 1st Campground 14.8%

0 Santa Ana River Mouth 4.6% S-1 Last Campground 9.4% Newport Beach S-3 South Day Use Area 12.4%

3S Orange Street 1.2% S-5 Pedestrian Bridge 9.3%

6S 52nd / 53rd Street 0.4%

Capistrano Beach

9S 38th Street 0.5% S-9 Capistrano County Beach 5.5%

15S 15th / 16th Street 1.1% S-11 Capistrano Bay Dist.–North 5.0%

21S Balboa Pier 0.5% S-13 Capistrano Bay Dist.–South 6.2%

27S The Wedge 0.1% Poche Beach

29S Corona Del Mar Beach 1.1% S-15 Poche Beach 33.6%

ONB3 Little Corona Beach 7.6%

San Clemente City & State Beach

Crystal Cove State Park S-17 North Beach 2.6%

ONB35 Pelican Point 0.6% S-19 450 Feet North of Pier 2.6%

39S Pelican Point Beach 0.4% S-21 Avenida Califia 0.8%

ONB39 Crystal Cove Beach 0.6% S-23 Las Palmeras 0.5%

ONB43 Muddy Creek Beach 0.3%

Young Boy Tubing It

Single Sample Standard Exceedance Rates for Point Zero Open Coastal Locations

The following table shows the seasonal single sample standard exceedance rates for Point Zero stations sampled outside of posted Rain Advisory periods. The displayed rates cover both the AB 411 and non AB 411 monitoring periods in 2016.

Point Zero monitoring is a departure from traditional methods of sampling beach areas to determine bacteriological water quality. Instead of monitoring a location within 100 feet of a storm drain, creek, or river to determine health compliance, samples are collected at specific locations where urban runoff physically mixes with the ocean and at points 75 feet upcoast and downcoast. If there is no urban runoff flow to the beach then only one sample is collected where flow would normally occur or what is termed: “virtual point zero.”

Permanent advisory warning signs continue to be posted at all drains, creeks and rivers advising beach goers to avoid urban runoff on the beach and where it enters the water because water quality can change significantly at any time. However, point zero monitoring serves to confirm exceedances of health standards at the receiving water and allows additional public notification which underscores the need to avoid urban runoff.

Point zero monitoring stations are sampled at the surfzone whether or not the associated drain or creek is flowing. Point Zero is identified by the last letter of the Station ID. For example, a station ending with “Z” is point zero, such as POCHEZ. Similarly, the upcoast and downcoast stations that are sampled 75 feet upcoast and downcoast of the associated storm drain, creek or river will have an identifier ending in “U” or “D,” respectively.

NS = No sample. Samples are sometimes not collected for various reasons, such as limited access to a location, safety concerns for our workers due to high surf or hazardous weather conditions, or simply no flow which eliminates the need for collecting the upcoast and downcoast samples.

2016 AB411 Period

Station ID Monitoring Location

South Crystal Cove State Park

2016 Non AB411 Period

APR - OCT JAN - MAR / NOV - DEC

% Exceed # Sanples % Exceed # Sanples

ELMOROU 75 feet upcoast NS 0 NS 0

ELMOROZ El Moro Creek Point Zero 0.0% 27 0.0% 16

ELMOROD 75 feet downcoast NS 0 NS 0

Laguna Beach

APR - OCT JAN - MAR / NOV - DEC

% Exceed # Sanples % Exceed # Sanples

EMRLDU 75 feet upcoast NS 0 0.0% 2

EMRLDZ Emerald Bay Drain Point Zero 0.0% 27 0.0% 16

EMRLDD 75 feet downcoast NS 0 0.0% 2

HEISLRD 75 feet upcoast NS 0 0.0% 1

HEISLRZ Diver’s Cove Drain Point Zero 0.0% 27 3.8% 17

HEISLRD 75 feet downcoast NS 0 0.0% 1

MAINBCU 75 feet upcoast 0.0% 2 12.5% 8

MAINBCZ Broadway Creek at Laguna Main Beach 7.1% 28 20.0% 20

MAINBCD 75 feet downcoast 0.0% 2 12.5% 8

VICTRAU 75 feet upcoast NS 0 0.0% 3

VICTRAZ Hotel Laguna Drain Point Zero 0.0% 27 0.0% 17

VICTRAD 75 feet downcoast NS 0 0.0% 3

CLEOU 75 feet upcoast 0.0% 2 10.0% 10

CLEOZ Cleo Street Drain Point Zero 0.0% 27 11.1% 18

CLEOD 75 feet downcoast 0.0% 2 10.0% 10

BLUBRDU 75 feet upcoast 0.0% 2 0.0% 12

BLUBRDZ Bluebird Canyon Drain Point Zero 0.0% 27 19.0% 21

BLUBRDD 75 feet downcoast 50.0% 2 0.0% 12

PEARLU 75 feet upcoast 0.0% 5 0.0% 3

PEARLZ Pearl Street Drain Point Zero 3.7% 27 9.1% 11

PEARLD 75 feet downcoast 0.0% 5 0.0% 3

DUMONDU 75 feet upcoast 0.0% 2 0.0% 6

DUMONDZ Victoria Beach Drain Point Zero 6.9% 29 0.0% 16

DUMONDD 75 feet downcoast 0.0% 2 0.0% 6

BLULGNU 75 feet upcoast 0.0% 1 0.0% 4

BLULGNZ Blue Lagoon Drain Point Zero 0.0% 8 4.5% 15

BLULGND 75 feet downcoast 0.0% 1 0.0% 4

ACM1U 75 feet upcoast 0.0% 1 25.0% 4

ACM1Z Aliso Creek Point Zero 0.0% 26 11.8% 17

ACM1D 75 feet downcoast 0.0% 1 25.0% 4

WESTU 75 feet upcoast NS 0 NS 0

WESTZ West Street Drain Point Zero 0.0% 26 4.0% 15

WESTD 75 feet downcoast NS 0 NS 0

Dana Point

APR - OCT JAN - MAR / NOV - DEC % Exceed # Sanples % Exceed # Sanples

SCM1U 75 feet upcoast 0.0% 28 5.6% 18

SCM1Z Salt Creek Point Zero 20.6% 34 45.5% 22

SCM1D 75 feet downcoast 0.0% 28 16.7% 18

Doheny State Beach

APR - OCT JAN - MAR / NOV - DEC % Exceed # Sanples % Exceed # Sanples

DSB5U 75 feet upcoast NS 0 0.0% 1

DSB5Z North Beach Creek Point Zero 12.9% 37 22.2% 18

DSB5D 75 feet downcoast NS 0 0.0% 1

SJC1U 75 feet upcoast NS 0 33.3% 9

SJC1Z San Juan Creek Point Zero 6.9% 29 26.3% 19

SJC1D 75 feet downcoast 0.0% 1 30.0% 10

DSB4U 75 feet upcoast NS 0 0.0% 1

DSB4Z South Day Use Area Drain Point Zero 0.0% 27 13.3% 15

DSB4D 75 feet downcoas NS 0 0.0% 1

DSB1U 75 feet upcoast NS 0 NS 0

DSB1Z Drain at End of Park Point Zero 0.0% 27 6.7% 15

DSB1D 75 feet downcoas NS 0 NS 0

Capistrano Beach

APR - OCT JAN - MAR / NOV - DEC % Exceed # Sanples % Exceed # Sanples

CSBMP1U 75 feet upcoast NS 0 NS 0

CSBMP1Z Drain near Point Zero 0.0% 27 0.0% 15

CSBMP1D 75 feet downcoast NS 0 0.0% 0

CSBBR1U 75 feet upcoast NS 0 NS 0

CSBBR1Z Capo Community Beach Drain 0.0% 27 0.0% 15

CSBBR1D 75 feet downcoast NS 0 NS 14

Poche Beach

APR - OCT JAN - MAR / NOV - DEC % Exceed # Sanples % Exceed # Sanples

POCHEU 75 feet upcoast 10.0% 10 0.0% 13

POCHEZ Poche Creek Point Zero 6.9% 29 22.2% 18

POCHED 75 feet downcoast 0.0% 9 7.1% 14

San Clemente City & State Beach

APR - OCT JAN - MAR / NOV - DEC

% Exceed # Sanples % Exceed # Sanples

SCCS52U 75 feet upcoast NS 0 0.0% 2

SCCS52Z Capistrano Shores North Drain 0.0% 27 0.0% 16

SCCS52D 75 feet downcoast NS 0 0.0% 2

SCCS17U 75 feet upcoast NS 0 NS 0

SCCS17Z Capistrano Shores South Drain NS 0 NS 0

SCCS17 75 feet downcoast NS 0 NS 0

PICOU 75 feet upcoast 0.0% 1 0.0% 0

PICOZ Pico Drain at North Beach Point Zero 3.5% 29 0.0% 13

PICOD 75 feet downcoast 0.0% 1 0.0% 8

MARIPOU 75 feet upcoast NS 0 NS 0

MARIPOz Mariposa Lane Drain Point Zero 0.0% 26 0.0% 12

MARIPOD 75 feet downcoast NS 0 NS 0

LINDALU 75 feet upcoast NS 0 0.0% 2

LINDALZ San Clemente Pier Drain Point Zero 0.0% 26 0.0% 14

LINDALD 75 feet downcoast NS 0 0.0% 3

PIERU 75 feet upcoast 0.0% 19 0.0% 5

PIERZ

PIERD

TRFCYNU

TRFCYNZ

TRFCYND

RIVERAU

RIVERAZ

RIVERAD

LADERAU

LADERAZ

LADERAD

Balboa

The